The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1887-01-09
A NIGHTS LESSON.

Kitty had been to sharity ball, and
the charity ball was very fashionable
there was no doubt about that. Kitty
had eaten late supper, returned home,
gone to bed and to sleep; there was no
more doubt about that. She recollected
distinctly throwing one shoe under the
bed and the other into corner, saying
''good night" to her own figure in the
looking glass, twisting the figure of a
butterfly till her fingers ached, before
she discovered that it was not in the gas
stopper, and then laughing sleepily at
all her mistakes. She even remem bered
the first dream of her sleep, which was
something about charity diamonds,
chicken salad lanciers, and ice cream
waltzes.
No; there was no doubt that she had
gone all through this; yet there she
was, staring in at the window of the
great ballroom, and the ball was just
commencing. Could she have gone to
sleep on the window still in some mys-
ferrous manner? No; she was outside,
and standing in the air with somebody
holding her hand.
"Oh dear thought Kitty, mourn
fully; Il must have drunk some wine,
somehow. How strange it is! l won
| der how l came here? But what cold
hand holds mine; it's not papa's, for it
makes me SILVER. He must be horrid.
l won't look at him, So2
There did not seem to be much need
OF the resolve, however, for the person
who held her hand did not move nor
seem to care whether she saw him or
not, but quietly looked in with her. So
at last, like most girls, Kittys curiosity
got the better OF her, and she glanced
! out OF the corners of her eyes.
Beside her she saw an old man. His
beard and hair were long and white, and
dropped about his neck and shoulders
like falling snow. Upon his head was
lightly placed a crown, as of frost work,
SO delicate was its texture. Robes long
and dark, and cold to look at, fell IN
broad folds from his shoulders and
were held TO his waist by Z girdle of
twlnkllng stars. He was gazing in at
the brilliant assembiage with a sad,
melancholy look upon his face.
Kitty looked at his robes. How
very old fsshIoned!" she thought land
aged, very aged!"
Eyes, " murmured the old man, "old,
very old"
Kitty stared. He read her thoughts
evidently. She was sorry now she had
thought it, he looked so sad,
Who are youP" asked Kitty, timidly,
land why have you brought me here?"
Il am the Cold Night" said the old
man, slowly turning his eyes toward
her. His eyes were sharp and piercing,
yet null OF kindness. And | have
brought you here that you might see
how great your charity Is, for l heard
this was charity ball"
- Yes, said Kitty, nervously. .
g am a friend to the poor" continued
the Cold Night; and l love to see char
ity." He look back into the ballroom
as he spoke. You see ally our friends
here?"
Yes, % said Kitty. Frightening up and
gazing inside with something of proud
look.
There's Florry Hall right before the
window now. She has those beautiful
solitaire diamonds in her ears. Oh,
Gear, how bright they look l wish l
had them"
"But you have the handsomest dress, =
said the Cold Night, sadly.
"Oh, yes" exclaimed Kitty, quickly.
1T was of the richest silk, and cost
several hundred dollars. Papa was so
kind"
And it was bought for charity ?"
asked the Cold Night.
Why, no" answered Kitty in su r
prlsed, for me, OF course"
But the bal is for charity?"
Kitty began to be bewildered by so
much criCicising: ana she was much re-
heved when be LED her away.
They descended to the grand en-
trance, where he pointed out two little
beggars, a boy and girl, who fiddled
and sang, and asked q penny of the rich
peoDle descending from the carriges.
You passed them tonight"
Yes, said Kitty; but they were
horrid beggars." The Cold Night was
silent, and Kitty thought she might
nave SAD something wrong; so she
added; land common street fiddlers. u
But the Cold Night said nothing.
They both watched the little duo,
"Tosey and libby" the Cold Night
said, and drew nearer to hear what
they would say. People, rich with
money and great in charity carefully
passed them by, for they were ragged
beggars aud fiddle and sang. 1t was
cold, very cold; and ToSey played very,
very lowly, while the breath OF libby
quivering plafnt disappeared despair
lngly IN the frosty air. The wheels of
the carriages seemed to creak in sym
pathv, as they crushed down the snow.
Yes; 1t was cold indeed, yet they fiddIed